Building Collapse Kills One In Port Harcourt

A yet-to- be- identified man has been killed while a building was being demolished on Azikiwe Road near the Ikoku Spare Parts Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday.

THE WHISTLER had reported a fortnight ago that the Rivers State Government had begun the planned demolition of the spare parts market.

The Nyesom Wike administration had announced plans for the relocation of the spare parts market since October 2019.

The government, however, did not build an alternative market for the traders but provided a parcel of land at the Iriebe area of Obio-Akpor.

The building was being demolished when the deceased walked into it trying to rescue an iron rod.

According to an eyewitness who identified himself as Chimezie, there were more than 15 people in the building dragging iron rods out, but others quickly rushed out before the building came down.

Unfortunately, the deceased was the only one left in the building.

Chimezie said:

“Its quite unfortunate the man died while the building collapsed as he was unaware the building he was extracting rods from was collapsing already.

“The workers said he was not one of them and all the men cutting rods have all vacated the scene immediately the incident happened.”

THE WHISTLER learnt his corpse had been taken to the Ikoku Police Station for identification by family and friends.